How to Make Gumdrops

Gumdrops are an old-fashioned favorite candy that you can make in your own kitchen. It's a perfect activity during holidays and makes a tasty homemade gift. Use candy or lollipop molds to form interesting shapes. This recipe makes about 2 dozen candies.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Two saucepans
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• Sugar
• 1 package powdered fruit pectin
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• Food coloring
• Flavored oils
• Molds

1. Combine 1 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup light cornstarch in a saucepan.
2. Mix the fruit pectin, water and baking soda in a second small saucepan.
3. Cook and stir both mixtures over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the foam subsides in the soda mixture.
4. Pour the soda mixture into the sugar mixture while stirring constantly.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in food coloring and favored oils as desired.
6. Pour the mixture into lightly-oiled molds and let it set for 24 hours.
7. Roll the individual candies in sugar as you remove them from the molds.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the pectin in your gumdrop recipe with flavored gelatin for a burst of fruit flavor and skip the food coloring.
• Use fruit juice instead of the water for a flavorful alternative that doesn't require using artificial food coloring.
• Put sprinkles to the bottom of your mold before pouring the candy in instead of rolling the candy in sugar.
• Pour your mixture into a pan and then cut the cooled candy into squares instead of using molds.